Ozuna impresses with fast start for Marlins

Rookie outfielder has hits in first five games, shows skills in field

PHILADELPHIA — A week ago Marcell Ozuna was Hitter of the Week in the Southern League.

If his first few games with the Miami Marlins are a true indication, the young outfielder won't be winning any more minor league awards.

With six hits, including two doubles, in his first four games, Ozuna is one of 10 Marlins rookies with a hitting streak of at least that many games to start a career. Saturday he became the first with hits in his first five since Kevin Millar (1998-99) when he hit the first pitch he saw from Cole Hamels for his first home run.

While it is a small sample, Ozuna has quickly impressed not only with his all-around skills but with his demeanor.

"He looks like he's been out there for a few years, and that comfort level is rare in a young kid," said manager Mike Redmond, who had Ozuna batting fifth Saturday. "He brings an energy to this team. It's fun to watch him play."

Ozuna, 22, got the call to fill in for injured Giancarlo Stanton and already appears at home in right field. In this series, he showed off a strong arm with a one-hop throw to the plate and got an appreciative wave from pitcher Ricky Nolasco after preventing an extra-base hit with a sliding catch in the gap.

At the plate, Ozuna has shown some much-needed power potential with a couple balls off the wall at Citizen Bank Park.

"He's a five-tool type guy, and he's showing it," Redmond said.

Most important, Ozuna is showing that he knows how to play at the highest level.

"Playing the game is my life. So be happy every time," he said of his approach. "If I go 0 for 4 or 0 for 7 or 0 for 10, be happy. The next day is another game. Come back and play the game hard. That's what I do every time."

Stanton is expected to miss at least a month with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, so Ozuna will have ample time to cement a place somewhere in the Marlins' outfield.

"In my mind I think I'm not going any more to [Double-A] ball," he said. "I want to stay here the rest of my career."

Pitcher Kevin Slowey see potential for a lengthy career.

"He's just incredibly athletic," Slowey said, adding, "He does a really good job of paying attention. He knows what he's supposed to be doing at all times."

Winless wonder

Slowey will try again Sunday to end a winless streak spanning 15 starts (22 total appearances) since Sept. 27, 2010 with the Twins at Kansas City.

Lack of support has kept the right-hander from a breakthrough win this season. His 2.15 EFRA is 10th in the National League, but the Marlins have generated an average of just 1.33 runs in his six starts.

Two injury-plagued seasons have given Slowey an appreciation for the success he is having despite the lack of tangible results.

"I think you kind of develop a different perspective the longer you play and start to appreciate things about the game and start to understand that baseball is what you do, it's not who you are," Slowey said.

Injury front

Although eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list at the end of May, Logan Morrison is not likely to play before the middle of June.